BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Whatcom County’s health department wants community input on how to help the homeless.

Currently, Whatcom County Health and Community Services is in the early stages in developing a homeless housing plan. They are looking for feedback in choosing what should the highest priority for their work, whether it is providing affordable housing or creating more emergency shelter space.

Housing Program Supervisor Chris D’Onofrio says they can’t do everything with their resources, but they want to hear what is most important to Whatcom County residents. He wants to make sure there is equity in allocating resources and that Community Services does the best with what they have.

The department has provided a survey for people to fill out as well as more information about their Five Year Local Homeless Housing Plan.

The five-year plan will be approved by Whatcom County Council for implementation in 2026. People will have until March 7 to complete the survey.